☂ two ; video

[knackered]

[England clears his throat. This is his first video broadcast across the network, and he wants to avoid an embarrassing situation like his mistaking the text function for a telegram the first time.]

Right. Yes. This feels oddly informal but if that's what's done--

--I'll be brief and to the point: I've got two questions.

First, could anyone from Earth who's lived through the twentieth century tell me of its history? Ah, the version of Earth where the British Empire exists. I would like to know how the world changes in the next hundred years. It doesn't matter when or where you're from, I'm just very interested.

My second question is addressed to the users of magic on board the Tranquility. Sorcerers, witches, wizards, healers, mages; whatever you are, how does magic work in your world? What sort of spells do you use? Runes? Talismans? Perhaps a proxy via a familiar or even technology? I've been practicing magic for as long as I've been alive--that's over fifteen hundred years--but one can never learn too much.

--Ah, I'm rambling. Excuse me... [He straightens his shoulders, tilting his nose up to be as dignified as possible.]

At any rate, I've one more announcement: I'm willing to trade tealeaves for sewing supplies, or anything else. Especially alcohol.

[Arthur pauses, not sure how to end the feed, but he just decides on something simple.]

Thank you.




[*edit/ooc: I'm aware of what he's asking. Bring on the temporal spoilers.]

Comments

[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

[Well, the guy who responds may be more or less English, but he has some bad news.]

Nobody can promise that it's the same twentieth century, but if it is, "empire" may not precisely be the correct word.

voice;

[knackered]

[After the 19th century, it couldn't possibly get any worse. Hopefully... But he's got a feeling already, or he wouldn't be asking. Curiosity dropped a live shell on the cat.]

It's a good job I'm aware of that, and that information given may be false, but I intend to string common points together. [Let him just cautiously choose his--] What word would you use?

[Arthur is throwing caution to the wind, like an idiot, but he must know. He will do his best to reserve judgment for after he's gathered what he can.]

voice;

[handelaar]

[It took a long time for him to sort his thoughts and answer, here, but luckily England is subjected to none of the pointed silence and obvious brooding and copious amounts of smoke that preceded it.]

I can.

[If that's what you really want, he doesn't say - if England's made up his mind, then that's that.]

voice;

[knackered]

[With people using voice and text, you can bet all the weed on the TQ that Arthur has lit up his pipe and various plants in it. Upon receiving a notification from Ned, England holds the end of the pipe with his teeth--it's a nervous habit. Europe has forged so many alliances through marriages, wars and treaties, he knows he ought to be careful discussing his own future with other nations. That went without saying, or thinking, though. Survival is their nature if they want to succeed at their jobs.]

... Alright then. [After his own considering pause.] Is it worse than the 19th century? I want to know that first, before everything else. 16th was alright, 17th--mmm, not overly fond of that one, what with the plague and fire. Now the 18th--not half bad, for the most part.

How does the twentieth century stack up?

text.

[fullmoon]

[ Congratulations on the occasion of your successful video broadcast, Mr Kirkland, etc., but Remus can't video chat and work at the same time, so: ]

1. That's a very broad question, but as of 1982, there have been several wars and [ he's not allowed to say muggle ] nonmagical people seem very worried that America and the Soviet Union might blow up the whole world.

2. Yes. :)

3. There's free alcohol on ever floor, but most of it tastes a little like paint.

text.

[knackered]

1. The Soviet What? And how the hell could the United States and another country blow up the world? That's absurd.

2. What kind of punctuation is that? That wasn't even a proper answer!

3. I was hoping for less terrible alcohol but I suppose the stuff that tastes of petrol will have to do.

[muscovy]

Scotland becomes an empire?

[So far he has only heard about America and Russia as major powers.]

1/2

[knackered]

2/2

[knackered]

[Pardon him while he

laughs

his

ass

off. He laughs so hard he has to double over and he ends up shaking as his sides begin to ache.]

not here

[northernmaple]

[Matt just hides his face in his hands, he's going to be making himself scarce in the next few days.

He only hopes England will be alright.]

[knackered]

[HE'S GONNA SEEK YOU OUT ASAP. He will find you, Matthew, he will find you.]

Video

[atent_dead]

[Granny looks every inch the stereotypical witch with her black pointed hat, black dress and grey hair in a severe bun.

Well, not every inch. She never did manage to grow warts.]

Folk think witchin' involves a lot more magic than it does. Spells are last resort. Witches don't use staffs like wizards, just whatever's around. Simpler.

Video

[knackered]

[He approves of this attire. It's stout, and... witchly, and black never really goes out of style--except in his era, where it usually meant death and mourning, but he has a fondness for it nonetheless.

Arthur nods, listening.] That I know well. Shame magic's been practically stamped out by my century--proper magic, that is, none of that fake rubbish meant for entertainment. Used the land, the good earth, but being so removed from it's a bloody headache.

video

[birdarang]

...Empire?

You're from what year, now?

video

[knackered]

1898. Not to worry, I'm familiar with the concept of time travel. And you? What's your year?

video

[sparkler]

Ah, but what sort of magic do you use? It'll be easier if we can compare similarities, I would think. Have you the Fade in your world?

[Dorian's always up for chatting about magic, even if the rest of the message has no relevance to him. Earth is a place, and beyond that he knows very little.]

video

[knackered]

Yes, I quite agree! No, although I'm not sure what the Fade is, so... No. Magic is something someone is born with. Many without the gift have tried to work spells, incantations, and I suppose superstition is a human trait, but in my world it's fast disappearing and I must say, seeing so much of it on this dreadful ship is really lifting my spirits.

I draw from my own energy, or the energy from the place I'm in, and ah... tend to stay away from practises that require the taking of a life. [Arthur clears his throat.] Or blood. Dreadful stuff, that is.

permatext.

[culver]

I have sewing supplies.

[knackered]

Hello. Excellent, may I inquire as to what you would like to trade?

text.

[brainsqueeze]

What date are you looking from?

text.

[knackered]

1898. I intend to review what I've been told with an associate who has been less than forthcoming on the century that separates us.

text.

[doggedly]

∪￣-￣∪


[runes!]

text.

[knackered]

[You're too late Sirius. Remus let him in on the ... secret.]

(╭ರ_•́)

[video]

[blackmagus]

[ Hello, England. You look better clothed and not so panicky. Although Fortescue could give or leave the first part, but that's beside the point. She's a magic user, and perfectly willing to talk shop as she switches on her comm. ]

Hello, darling. [ She quirks a smile. ] We have runes, but only certain people can use them — arcanists. For the most part our magic comes from within ourselves, gifted from... elsewhere.

[video]

[knackered]

[He's surprised and blushes at the use of darling, but he gets a hold of himself by clearing his throat and adjusting his collar as distractions.] Er, oh--Hello! Yes, hello. Good day.

--Runes, arcanists, I see. And from within, gifted from elsewhere? Such as a divinity or something?